What is the difference between the theory of continental drift and plate tectonics?
2 Answers
Plate tectonic is newer form of Continental drift with more evidence and an proposed mechanism for the movement of the Continents.
Explanation:
Continental drift was rejected at the time it was proposed despite substantial evidence to support the theory. The rejection was based on several factors. Continental drift challenged the prevailing theories of uniform processes, and the geosyncline theory of mountain building. The evidence for Continental drift indicated that the Continents had separated at timeline that went against the proposed evolutionary timeline for the fossil record. Most telling there was no proposed mechanism for what force could move the massive continents.
Plate tectonics was developed after World War II. Studies of the Atlantic Sea floor due to submarine warfare revealed the existence of the midAtlantic ridge and seafloor spreading. The magnetic zones were symmetrical on both sides of the Mid Atlantic ridge indicating that the lava coming up from the ridge was creating new ocean floor and pushing the crust apart. This evidence lead to the theory of convection currents that provided a mechanism for the movement of the massive continents.
Studies of the spreading of the rift valley and discovery of subduction zones that absorb the extra crust created by the mid ocean ridges solidified the theory of plate tectonics.
Still some evolutionary scientists such as Gaylord Simpson resisted the theory up through the 1970's because of the disagreements between their theories of Darwinian evolution and the timeline of plate tectonics. Adjustments were made to both theories and plate tectonics is now a widely accepted scientific theory.
The theory of continental drift suggests that all the land masses on earth were once part of one supercontinent. Plate tectonics is the ability to measure the movement of land masses.
Explanation:
The idea that all of earth's land masses were once joined together was first postulated in the late 1500's after mankind had discovered and mapped enough territory to realize the continents could be arranged to fit together. This suggested they were once all part of a greater landmass.
The idea is not excluded by plate tectonics, the study of landmass movement across the surface of the planet. Plate tectonics describes how the segments of the earth's crust are in motion due to enormous convection currents within the upper layer of the viscous, plastic, semi-solid magma. Plate tectonics relies on recent innovation and specialized equipment to monitor the motion of landmasses.
There is more here:
http://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-continental-drift-and-vs-plate-tectonics/
